The condo itself is 850 square feet, residing in a vintage Bernal Heights multi-unit circa 1900. The MLS listing on Redfin shows the property type classified as "Modern/high tech," but you'll see there's more retro than new-fangled in the gallery above.

Inside, the living room features a fireplace and built-ins. The kitchen, updated certainly at some point, has lots of counter space and a sunny dining nook.

The bedrooms feel spacious, all natural light and gleaming hardwood floors, leading to a bright black and white full bath.

The extras

Outside, we find the real Maupin magic: There is an actual garage with room for storing stuff and one-car parking dedicated to this unit.

There's also a shared yard and hot tub for relaxing and/or mingling with friends and neighbors. The building is close to two parks for more of the same.

In Maupin's day this unit would have cost a lot less; today 386 Richland Ave., unit B asks $799,000-- and comparable recent sales put the actual market value over $830,000.

But those prices are part of today's tales of the city.

Anna Marie Erwert writes from both the renter and new buyer perspective, having (finally) achieved both statuses. She focuses on national real estate trends, specializing in the San Francisco Bay Area and Pacific Northwest. Follow Anna on Twitter: @AnnaMarieErwert